MBTA railcar deliveries behind schedule

Deliveries of bilevel passenger railcars to Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority are up to 18 months behind schedule, with delays appearing to result at least in part due to previous problems endured by Hyundai Rotem USA.

The manufacturer has struggled to conclude an earlier order of 120 Silverliner V cars for South East Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA), with only half of that order delivered to SEPTA by the end of last year. Problems fulfilling that order on time appear to have contributed to the delay of 75 cars to MBTA, which was scheduled to be under way by now. Assembly of the $190 million order reportedly has yet to begin.

MBTA still hopes for some equipment to be delivered, and in revenue service, by year's end.

The MBTA Board of Directors approved the $190 million contract on Feb. 7, 2008, for 75 bi-level cars, with the first four cars to be delivered in 2010 and the remaining 71 cars by 2012. The order includes 28 cab-control cars and 47 coaches.